Method of and apparatus for translating electrical variations.



P. C. HEWITT.

METHOD OF AND-APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING ELECTRICAL VARIATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15. 1915.

1 ,262,490. Patented Apr. 9. 1916.

WI TIVESSES W %M& W v m krmmr P. c. HEWITT.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING ELECTRICAL VARIATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, I915.

' Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 J Q 9 4 1. 2 M7 6 w W W W! l a P. C. HEWITT.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING ELECTRICAL VAR|A TIONS.APPL|CAT|0N FILED MAY 15. 1915.

' Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WI TI'J E 885 v ATTORNEY NI ED STATES PATENT oE oE.

PETER COOPER HEWITT, OE RINOWOOD MANOR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COOPERHEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF YORK.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSLATING ELECTRICAL VARIATIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Original application filed March 80, 1907, Serial No. 365,597. Dividedand this application filed Kay 15,

' 1915. Serialli'o.28,434.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER COOPER HEwrrr, a citizen of the United States,and esident of Ringwood Manor, in the county of Passaic and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods ofand Apparatus for Translating Electrical Variations, of which thefollowin is a specification.

y present invention involves the discovcry of certain phenomenadeveloped by the oscillations in the receiving circuit of 'a spacedemonstrate extreme flow of electric current through a gas or vapor, andit particularly concerns the utilizatlon of such phenomena, inconnection with electrical varlations of all kinds and for variouspurposes.

Itis useful in connection with very ra id and very feeble electricalvariations, an is particularly adapted to translate variations ofpotential. When used for detecting the telegraph or telephone system,the results sensitiveness, reliability and durability. v

My 1nvent1on contemplates the employof the electrodes, and upon thedensity of the vapor. The density of the vapor depends"upo1 1 thetemperature and pressure,- and the initial dens1ty of a. given vapor inan hermetically sealed container, -may varied-through changes ofinternal temperature; Normal or initial internal tem- T peratu e isdependent upon the temperature of thf1 Cha ofdtemperature .urmg operalon are epen ent upon. the ratio of heat generation to heat radiation.The internal heat generation is dependent upon thea'bove mentionedelectrical condition,' before 't has been changed characteristics andupon the amount of current flowing in the vapor device. The heatradiation is dependent upon the heat radiating area and the temperatureof the surroundmgs. Hence, in the operation of a vapor device having.given geometrical and electrical characteristics of construction, the

. density of the vapor is controllable by regulating current flow, heatradiating area, and temperature of the surroundings. 4

The reactions attending passage of current ina conducting gas or vapormay be subdivided into three definite classes: (1) reactions at and nearthe positive electrode or anode; (2) reactions in the gas or vapor-1tself; and (3) reactions at andadjacent the negative electrode, orcathode, including reactions at the junction of the negative dark pacewith the vapor carrying current from the main positive electrode.

actions at the positive electrode or anode are made up, are numerous,and are chiefly modified by the position, s1ze,-and physical state ofthe anode; and by the purity, density, and

kind of gas; and also by current density in the gas. Certain of them aresensitive to magnetic action. One of the visible reactlons of theosltive electrode or anode, is a luminous bal or bush which isverysensitive to ma etic action and which tends to be The separatephenomena of which the rea source 0 variation; At low densities it isvery sensitive to magnetic action.

e reactions in the conducting vapor itself and modifications thereof,independent of the reactions near the electrodes, have been broadlystated by me. They may be modified by a magnet, especially at lowdensities. The reactions of the vapor-column.- are normally stable, andfor purposes of this invention, its length, the kind of gas,

g factions to-be considered and'contr ed.

The phenomena at the negative electrode are numerous, 'and include twodistinct classes; oneclass-being those found. at the negative electrodewhen it is in its primary to what has been termedfb y meits low rethegas depsity, and the current density are be chief mo sistance or brokendown state, and an-* dill other class being those which exist after thenegative electrode has attained the low resistance state. It ischaracteristic of the first mentioned class that on subjecting thenegatlve electrode in the primary condition, to

, suficient electrical stress, a certain point is reached where aleakage current may be observed under certain conditions. A modifiedleakage current flowing under lower stress is manifest when saidelectrode is present in a' current carrying vapor having suflicientcurrent density. The opposition or apparent resistance to this leakagecurrent, is modified g the urface area of the electrode, and by ecurrent density in the vapor adjacent thereto, and it varies in wayspeculiar to itself with the nature, purity and the density of thevapor,.and with the nature and condition of the electrode. It varieswith the tperature of the negative electrode, and if this perature beincreased to incandescence, this resistance then reaches or comes nearits um t. After the last state of resistance in the primarycondition'has been reached, if the temperature of the electrode beincreased to such a point as tob about a physical or chemical change ofstate of the electrode, while current, with cient bac is passing intosaid electrode,-the reactions will change to-those of the second class;namely, those attendant upon the broken down state of resistance, andthe reactions of the negative electrode will then be measured-by a lessdrop in po-'- tential. It is often desirable that the drop over thedevice should be as small as ossible and in such case this latter tateshe d serve best This broken down state of the negative electrode may beattained by variou 'expedients now well @own in the art.

- phenomena consist of a bright spot on the Ell negative, electrode witha flame apparently hovering over this spot. The peculiar characteristicof this flame is that it tends to lie and along the maetic lines offorce,- rather than to be twisted or. distorted by.

them, as is usual to current passing. It tends normally to projectitself perpendicularly from the surface of theelectrode. A

I magnetmay be used to modify or adjust the condih ons at the negativeelectrode. The bright spot tends to locate itself at a menis cus of anirregularity on an electrode.

. vapor co The flame is very sensitive The flame itself is surrounded bya dark terminal to the current or charge carried by space and when theflame is in normal position in a right line with the vapor col,

the top of the flame usually marks the the luminous positive col ofconducting from the positive electrode. to electrical variations, andsuch variations may be oh- 7 ascent-Jo served when looking at it. Itsreactions may also be varied by a magnetic field and its the 'drop dueto the positive bush maybe seriously modified if not altogethereliminated. Many of the above described re actions are modified by rapidelectrical variations and are useful inconnection with them.

In the'practice of my invention 1 expose within the vapor device,supplied with'current through main electrodes, a separate terminal ortwo or moresterminals operatively associated with a telephone or otherindieating instrument and with a source of variation to be .detected.

The relative positions of such terminal and of the main electrodes areof considerable importance because, other things belng equal, theefiects of the reactions at an auxiliary terminal of this type, seem tovary with the charge in the body of thesvapor, particularly in theregion immediately adjacent such auxiliary teal. The current density inthe vapor-varies with thef'total.

amount of current"v flow between the main electrodes and also with therelative positlon or location of the auniliary terminal wit reference tothe main electrodes and the current path between said electrodes. Hence,for given conditions, the proper current density or charge of the vaporadjacent an auxiliary teal, may be attained by adjusting or arrangingthe auxiliary terminal nearer to or farther from the main electrodes andthe path between them, or, where the auxiliaryterminal is already fixed1n a suitable position, by increasing ordecreasingthe amount of currentflowing between the main electrodes. The latter expedient will usuallyhave the efiect of changing the density and distribution of the currentin the vapor and may be availed of to a certain extent. p

The relation of the size of the auxiliary the vapor is important, and asa rough rule, the size should be decreased when the charge in the vaporis increased to obtaiuapproximately the similar efi'ects. And, further,if it is desircdito-vary the efiect, increase of the area of theauxiliary terminal will have an eilfect somewhat analogous to increaseof vapor adjacent thereto.

By increasing the main current when .receiving even faint signals, thevolume of the signal may be amplified in many arrangements of thisdevice, and this may be continued up to the point wh re they begin to beobscured by other variations developed.

Whatever type of devicebe employed for.

maintaining the supply of current in the vapor, such supply should beindependent of the auxiliar electrode used for detecting purposes. 11auxiliary electrode, because of its position or electrical connections,may have a tendency to be a positive or a negative electrode withreference to the vapor, or, being maintained at a neutral point, as by asource of counter-electromotive force, or by a condenser which may beused as such, it may under certain conditions tend to act as either, oralternately, as both. For some purposes it is preferable that it bearranged so as normally to have no current flowing either from or to it,except such currents as are the result of the action of the electricalvariations to be. detected, and in case it is desired that the deviceshould have a rectifymg action, the auxiliary electrode should tend toopposea prohibitive barrier to the passage of current from the vaporinto it; This action seems to be more complete when the current flow inthe vapor adjacent to it is at or near a minimum and its surface areaisnot too great.

The reactions at the ositive electrode are normally in an unstab e stateand give rise to rapid electric variations, which when heard in atelephone are rumbling, rattling, cracking sounds, and may, undercertain conditions, produce clear musical notes. One means of renderingthe reactions at the main positive electrode substantially stable, is tobring such main positive electrode in close proximity to the mainnegative electrode. In such case, the visible henomena'. at the mainpositive electrode an the voltage drop,

are modified and largely suppressed, and the attendant reactions may beso, rendered practically noiseless to a telephone at an auxiliaryelectrode.

The slze of the positive electrode is important with reference to theheating effect on it and also with respect to the bush reaction, and formost pur oses it should be of suflicient area to pass t e desiredmaximum current .without becoming unduly overheated but it should not betoo large on account of the bush reaction. It may be ing the same whilesubjected to'the action of designed to be highly heated and itstemperature may be made to affect the reactions ally determined by a fewtrials. The magnetic field thus employed may be made to vary theinternal resistances of reactions, and will often increase thesensitiveness of tribution of the lines of force ofthe field may beestablished by proper design and location of a single magnet, or aplurality of magnets may be used to establish a resultant field. With aring ositive electrode, it is usually desirable to ave thelines of forcesomewhere about 45 degrees from the normal direction of the negativeelectrode flame and with a disk positive electrode approximatelyparallel with such direction.

In-all forms shown herein the conducting gas or vapor is inclosed in a;suitable container preferably having three or more'electrodes. Theelectrical reactions at the various electrodes and in the conductingmedium may be thus caused and controlled as desired, to enable thedevelopment of suitable reactions within the medium itself for thedesired purposes and to make possible the modification and control ofthe reactions. The temperature and density ofthe gas or vapor may becontrolled in any desired way, as by determining the area anddlsposition of the outer radiating surfaces of the container or by theuse of suitablebexpedients for increasing or decreasing the heatabsorbing or heat imparting power of the surroundings, such as jacketing or immersing 1n heating or cooling baths parts or all of thedevice.

be modified the device. .The desired direction and dis- In all of theforms shown herein, the conducting medium is referred to as 'a gas or Ithe conditions of operation; The methods.

of cleansing and evacuating such devices by washing with mercury vapor.and exhaustheat and of the electric current, are now well known in theart.

. A starting band of the type well known in the art may be applied at amain negative electrode or an auxiliaryelectrode, and may be usedaccording to the practices well The container and any.

P i -J known in the art, or may be utilized as a means of operativelyapplying to the device, the variations to be translated or detected.

While my above described invention contemplates the utilization ofreactions developed by current flow in a circuit which includes a gas orvapor as one of the conducting media, it will be understood that thespecial or auxiliary terminal and the circuit arrangements may beemployed in connection with other conducting media carrying currentsupplied to the medium independently of the auxiliary terminal. Ingeneral the circuits whose reactions are to be utilized, should includedifi'erently conducting media affording variable electrical reactions ofvarious classes, such as transition resistances, etc. I prefer atrueconductor of the first class, such as ordinary conductin metals, andalso a conductor of another chass of conductivity as, for instance, onewhich is adapted to pass current after the manner of electiolytes orconducting fluids such as gases or vapors. A suitable source ofelectromotive force should be employed to maintain normal current flowin the circuit of the fluid medium, said current flow being preferablyof relatively. large quantityl and low voltage. The indicator circuit sould be a lateral or branch or parallel circuit ncluding a part only ofthe fluld medium of said first mentioned circuit.

The source of variations to be translated may be a circuit of eitherforced variations or oscillatory variations and may bean open circuit,connected to ground or a capacity, or not, as desired. A closed circuitof either forced variations or oscillatory variations may be applied toadvantage or any of the arrangements shown in each and all of thefigures of the drawings by connecting the two sides of such closedcircuit in the same way that the aerials S and ground G respectively areconnected, or in any other desired way, all as will be well understoodby those skilled in the art.

ll have specifically shown and described herein only a few of thetypical and desirable ways of arranging the aerial, indicating anddirect current supply circuits. From these it will be evident to oneskilled in the art that my vapor device is so sensitive that thevariations to be detected or translated can hardly be applied to thesame in such manner as not to produce some edect on the internalreactions and that those reactions will produce more or less pronouncedsensible efl'ects in the indicator whenever the latter is applied to thevapor device in such manner that impulses, direct currents, ordisplacement currents may flow therethrough in response to potentialvariations. The instrument should be designed or located so as not to beinjured by the amperage of such current flow, and, in general, it ispreferable to igaeaeco arrange the indicator and variation circuits insuch manner that the variatlons to be detected may pass to the vapordevice without being impeded or choked out by the indicator.

When the arrangement is such that the auxiliary electrode normally tendsto act as an anode with current normally tending to fiow from it, itsarea, shape, location, and material should be such as will not give riseto an objectionable intensity of internal disturbing variations, unlessit is desired to make use of them. 7

Two or more auxiliary terminals may be connected in parallel with eachother and to a telephone or other indicating instrument. The circuitfrom the auxiliary terminal need not be closed. A circuit from thelatter to ground or to a capacity or to one of the main electrodes or toanother auxiliary terminal, may be used. In the case of wirelesstelegraph signals, the variations may be operatively applied to thevapor device by merely connecting the receiving circuit to a smallcapacity area located in the neighborhood of the device; as, forinstance, a'metal plate a foot square arranged parallel with the side ofthe vapor device and, say, six inches or more from it.

Two auxiliary terminals may beconnected in series with each otherthrough the indicating instrument. Varying results may be obtained whenthe indicating instrument is connected between two or more a electrodes,by having them dissimilar as-to position, surface, or some other slightdifference of electrical condition or relation. By suitable selection ofthe auxiliary electrodes, the latter arrangement becomescharacteristically free from disturbing varia- 105 tions and when acondenser is serially inter-' posed, a 'most delicate indicatinginstrument fails to be seriously disturbed by interior disturbingvariations.

In my No. 1,144,596, granted June 29th, 1915) of which this applicationis a division, I have included broad claims which include in theirscope, features disclosed herein but all claims specific to my presentdevices have been transferred to this divisional application.

In the accompanying drawings the container is shown in vertical section,with the prior application, Serial No. no 365,597, filed March 30th,1907, (now Patent tions thereat. The circuit arrangements are showndiagrammatically.

Fig. 2 shows a similar positive electrode arranged close to the ne ativeelectrode in such manner as to ren er more stable the reactions at thepositive electrode.

Figs. 3 and'4: are respectively similar to 1 and 2 except that variousauxiliary electrodes are of different areas.

- Figs. 5,6,7 and 8 show two ring electrodes adjacent the negativeelectrode.

Fig. 9 illustrates a device wherein an indicating circuit is connectedbetween 0011- v centric cylindrical auxiliary electrodes.

Fig. 10 shows a vapor device having two solid and two liquid electrodeswhich maybe connected up in a multiciplicity of ways soas 'to afford twomain electrodes and two auxiliary'electrodes, both solid or both liquid,or one solid and one liquid.

In various of the figures of the drawings,

electrodes of thin material having various outlines, are shown as viewedfrom a point above the planes of said electrodes, in order to show thestructure more clearly. While right angles to the axis of the vapordevice.

any one or more of these electrodes. may be arranged at various, similaror different angles, it is to be understood that these electrodes may beand preferably are arranged with their flat surfaces lying n planes atrel Thissupply circuit is provided with Referringmoreparticularlyto Fig.1, the

suitable regulating devices, including preferably an a'justable-ohmic're'sistance and an inductance which is also preferablyadjust-- able. fThe ohmic resistance and the inductance may be inoreorless embodied in the same device, but. are preferably separate. Suitablereceiving and indfilating circuits are operatively associated 'wi I theauxiliary electrode.

. Like parts have been indicated by like reference cha-racters'on thevarious figures wherever this'is possible withoutliability to causeconfusion.

positive-"jelectrede, 1 may. be, any known or desired material jsuitablefor the purpose, such as iron, platlnum, carbon, or other conducting-n'raterial. 1 The particular cup device having the" -the inductance andresistance may shaped electrode shown in this and other figures, ispreferably of the same material, size and shape as the positiveelectrode now in general use in the Cooper-Hewitt lamps.

The negative electrode 2 consists of abody of conducting 1i uidpreferably of mercury.

The auxiliary e ectrode 3 is preferably .a

solid conductor of' iron, platinum, carbon, or other suitable materia,though it may consist of a body of conducting hquid, such as mercury, ifdesired. The container 4 is preferably of glass, preferably hermeticallysealed and preferably having a'high .vacuum when cold. It may be of anysuitable ordesiredsize, and may be conveniently made about 21} to 3inches in diameter and about!) or more inches in height. A device ofsuch diameter and 7 inches in heightwill have a current carryingcapacitythrough the'main electrodes up to 4 or 5 amperes at pressuresof, say, -7 to 25volts, and will have ample heat radiating area.

- The source of current supply is shown at '8, an-adjustable resistanceat 9,

allllfl an adjustable inductance at 10.- The's pply circuit is thuscapable of regulation for purposes ofcontrolling the amperage throughthe device and for steadying the same to normally uniform values. K

' The auxiliary terminals, a 3 3", 3, etc., Fig.- 1, are sensitive tothe electrical variations'fto-be detected and these are operativelyapplied to the device from any .suitable source of variation, as, forinstance, a receiving wire S of a space telegraph or telephone systembrought in proximity to the device or connected directly to theauxiliary terminal. It will be understood that the variations to beutilized, may be from other sources and may be of comparatively lowfrequency and greater amperage.

Where the variations to be utilized are 'feeble or rapid, it isdesirable to connect the supply wire S to the auxiliary electrode 3 sothat there shall be little capacltyor impedance in the supply circuitleading tothe auxiliary electrode. The detecting circuit is preferablyarranged to have a suitable value of impedance, that furnished by atelephone receiver serves well, and atelephone having a resistance of500 to 2000 ohms .is frequently found suitable for the purpose ofWireless telegraphy. In case the imf.

pedance is the primary of a 'transfdrmer,

e. selected to suit, -as desired. The receiver or indicator circuit Rconnected at one end to i an. auxiliaryelectrode, may be connected atthe other end to a capacity, or to the main 7 positive or negativeelectrode orm a multiplicity of ways her'eaftermore fully referred to.In Fig. Litis shown connected between several auxiliary 1 electrodes. A.

ground connection Cis sometimes desirable,

but not always necessary,and may be made be conveniently efiected byshaking the dea naeaeeo by connection from a main electrode as in Fig.2, as desired,

In a vapor device or the kind shown in Fig. 1, any internally originateddistributing variations at the main electrodes, due to the passage ofthe battery current, will be 7 manifest at the auxiliary electrode andtend to obscure its action when minute variations are tobe detected.Hence in Figs. 8 and 9 to I show the device provided with one of thevarious possible means for lessening the internally originateddisturbing variations, by rendering the reactions at the main negativeelectrode more stable. This result is accomplished by arranging aprojection 12 extending above the surface of the mercury 2 and wettedthereby, after the manner,

hereinbetore referred to. A platinum wire projecting a short distanceand having a 2o diameter of .045 inch, serves well for this purpose, forcurrents of from 1% to 2% amperes or even more.

Fig. 2 represents a similar vapor devlce having the reactions at thenegative elecso slightly above said projection. If the ring is used inthe form of a fiat disk of from 1%. inches in external diameter and inchor less in internal diametergit will pass 2-1- to 3 amperes of currentwithout becoming un- 5 a dulylheated.

-The internal d ameter of the ring should not be too great with respectto its distance from the projection 12, for otherwise there may be atendency'to unstable reactions give5 ing rise to disturbingfluctuations. Ring electrodes of the above specified: sizes, however,carrying currents as described, are very suitable. for the purpose, butthis electrode may be varied in size and shape and may be so .adisk orother shape.

,{Al-' convenient method of determining or -adj-usting the distance ofsuch a posltive electrode from the surface of the mercury consists inproviding the container with a as pocket adapted to containan extrasupply- 7 of mercury. In such a device the desired amount of mercurymaybe poured ofi from the negative electrode into the pocket, or viceversa. I

In this form of device the starting may i q at the'mercury of thenegative electrode momentarily comes in contact with the positiveelectrode, thereby making and t5 breg a bridge.

With the above described arrangements the visible phenomena at the mainositive electrode and its resistance are modi ed and largely suppressedand the attendant disturbing reactions are made practically unnoticeableso far as concerns their efiects at the auxiliary electrode and in theindicator connected thereto. The device may be operated at a lowerpotential than that of Fig. 1 and it has a much greater currentcapacity, the latter being limited, in practice, mainly by the size andfusibility of the positive electrode.

The heating efiect at the positive electrode is less as the surface ofthe positive electrode is increased, and this arrangement may be used tocarry current up to'5 amperes at a voltage of 7 to 10 or 12 volts,depending upon the characteristics of the particular device. Theoperation of this form of device, under varying conditions, seems tovary with the position of the positive electrode with respect to thenegative electrode, palticularly for positions varying from barely outof contact with the surface of the mercury to, say, g 'inch or more,from the surface of-the mercury. I

In Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4:, I have shown various forms of containerprovided with main electrodes and with a considerable number .ofauxiliary electrodes located in difierent plane parallel with the firstbut nearer the negative electrode.

In Fig. 2, the arrangement is the same, except that the device isprovided with a ring electrode 11,'which is utilized as the mam positiveelectrode, after the manner described; in connection with Figs. 3 and 4.In this arrangement, the eight auxiliary electrodes are arranged inplanes outside of the direct path of current flow between the mainelectrodes and at difi'erent distances therefrom. In this figure theelectrode 13 at the top of the container may also be used as anauxiliary electrode.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the arrangements are respectively somewhat similar tothose of Figs. 1 and 2, the principal difierence being that in Figs. 3and 4, the electrodes in the same plane are of difit'erent sizes. InFig. 3 the ring electrode 11 may be used as an auxiliary electrode andin Fig.4 the cup shaped electrode 13 at the top of the container may beused as an auxiliary electrode.

Inthese Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, any one of the electrodes may be used as asingle auxiliary electrode, in connection with any desired arrangementof indicating circuit, or said auxiliary electrodes may be combined in amultiplicity of ways hereinafter more fully set forth. As heretoforeexplained, there is a desirable current density for the vapor adjacentthe auxiliary electrode, which is most suitable for given conditions,and with devices afiording electrodes of such difl'erent location andsuch different areas, a, wide range of selection is possible for eachvalue of current amperage between the main electrodes. This ran e ofselection is vastly increased by the ability to adjust such amperage tovarious desired values.

In all of the 'figures of the drawing, however, I have elected to showthe indicating device or other translating instrument, as connecteddirectly between auxiliary electrodes, and not conductively associatedwith either of the main electrodes otherwise than through the vapor pathwithin the container. Furthermore while I may include in thistranslating circuit a source of electrical current or pressure such as apotentiometer andbattery, or .a' source of counterelectric motor forcesuch as the condenser indicated in Fig. 9, I prefer for many purposesthat the normal continuously maintained energy in this circuit shall bethe energy which it receives by reason of its shunt r lation to thevapor path ofv the main current through the contamer. As I havepreviously explained, the polarity of an 85 auxiliary electrode W111depend upon its area, and its location within the container withreference to the Vapor and to the main electrodes, and also upon therelative size and location of the other auxiliary electrode connected.

In Figs. 1 and 3 the polarity of the upper and lower electrodes, betweenwhich the translating device is serially connected, may

be expected to be determined by the fact that the upper auxiliaryelectrode, as 3, is

relatively close to the main positive electrode 1, while the lowerauxiliary 3 is relatively near the main negative electrode 2. Thus thecircuit of the translating device between these terminals is in fact ashunt upon a large portion of the length of the vapor path andconsequently the' current will.tend to enter the translating circuit at3 and thereto, rather than by, the voltage andamperage of the maincurrent thereo Fig, 5 showsia container having a cup or electrodes withwhich it is conductively' to return into the vapor path at 3 thus"shaped electrode at the top, a liquid negative electrode and projectionat the bottom, and just above the latter two concentric ring electrodes21, 22 in the same plane. The cup shaped electrode 13 may be used as themain positive, electrode, and one or both of the ring electrodes asauxiliary electrodes, or, as shown in Fig. '6, the inner ring elec trode21 may be used as a positive electrode and the outer ring electrode asan auxiliary electrode.

In Figs 7 and 8 there are two ring electrodes 31, 32 located one abovethe other. There is also a cup shaped electrode 13 at the top. Eitherone of the ring electrodes or the cup shaped electrode may be used asthe main positive or as an auxiliary electrode or electrodes.

When the upper ring electrode 32, Figs. 7 and 8, is not used as a mainelectrode, it appears to serve some useful purpose with reference to thereactions occurring at' the main electrodes One apparent effect is thatit tends to prevent adherent deposits on the walls of the container,which otherwise frequentl occur and which appear to be caused by exoliations from the point 12 of the negative electrode. Fi 9 and 10 showvarious forms of va por evice with a multiplicity of solid electrodes.It will be understood that in all forms, any solid electrode havingsuflicient area to carry the current, may;.b'e used as a main positiveelectrode, and any one or all of the others used as auxiliaryelectrodes.

For instance, it will be understood with respect to the form shown in'Fig. 10, that either of the lower electrodes 2, 2, may-be used as amain negative electrode, either of the solid electrodes 1, 1, or theremaining liquid electrode being used as the main positive electrode;Insuch case, one or both of v the other two electrodesec'. e. two solidacteristics of frequency, quantity, etc., and the circults suitable forutilizing or indicating these variations are very numerous.

The sources of variations may be'connected or brought into operativerelation to the device in such manner that said variations reach theauxiliary electrode, preferably without being subject to anyconsiderable impedance or reactance. The indicator circuit is preferablydirectly-connected to the auxiliary electrode and to the indicatinginstrument. Such circuit may be connecte The impedance, particularlyinductance,

for the circuit of the receiving device exercises an-important function,and the best value thereot should be ascertained by trial when the de'ce is to be used for particular purposes. T e indicator It may be anelectromagnetic telephone receiver having sufiicient impedance for theparticular purpose 1n view, for instance, 100 to 2000 ohms resistance.It will be understood that such adjii'stable impedance may be used inany of the c1rcu1ts shown herein, but it is usually more desirable thatit be in the receiving instru-- ment.

The electromotive force across the indicator c1rcu1t may be more or lesscounterbalanced, or if desired, overbalanced by'a-po' tentiometer, andthe latter may be adjusted tocause slight current flow to or from theauxiliary electrodes at either end of the indicator circuit,independently of the direction of normal flow due to the shunt relationof the'circuit to the vapor path.' In Fig. .9, v I have shown thecondenser 19 interposed in the circuit between the indicator andone ofthe aum'liary electrodes; but it will be understood that a potentiometermay he used or a simple impedance may be used, or the circuit may be asimple circuit containing only the indicator. Where a. condenser is usedafter the manner shown in Fig. 9, it is .preferable that 'such condenserbe between =*the indicator and the positive electrode,.

-"rather than between the indicator and the v Qauxiliary electrode.

as w the best results for given conditions ispref- The proper value ofthe capacity to give erably determined by trial of various values ofcapacity, and when the most suitable value has been thus determined,anonadjustable condenser of such capacity may be substituted. The latteris particularly" convenient and, eificient for wireless in dications-.

A condenser (if i microfarad may serve well,- and one of much lesscapacity ma be used for feeble signals. The-most desirable ca-'pacityfor this condenser seems to depend 7 upon the length of the wavetrains and the '-spark frequency, but a condenserof suitable fixedcapacity will usually satisfy practical requirements.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the main circuit is fromthe'inain electrode 1- to the main electrode 2," and the in,

dicator circuit is from theielectrodes 3 and 3 'connccted in parallel toact like a glle therewith. The condenser showrfat naca'aao electrode,through the indicator to electrodes'3 3, 3 connected in parallel to actas the other terminal of the indicator circuit. In this arrangement thetwo upper auxiliary electrodes havean area related to the combined areaof the electrodes, as two is to. three, the upper two electrodes beinglocated in the container differently. from the lower three electrodes.

The circuit shown in Fig. 2 illustrates the fact that Where the mainelectrodes are close together at the lower end of the container, anindicating circuit may be operatively employed by connecting twoelectrodes in a single transverse plane with one electrode of the samearea, in the same plane, the difference in area between the twoelectrodes and the one electrode resulting in sensitive: 4 ness. In Fig.3 a small electrodein an upper plane of the container is connectedthrough the indicator with a large electrode in a lower plane. trode isconnected through the indicator with a larger electrode in the sameplane.

The multiplicity of possible penmutations and combinations of variouslocations and the values of electromotive force from one electrode toanother and of the values of main current flow in these devices, is sogreat as to render specific detailed description impractical when thebreadth of utility of the device is considered. It is suficient to sathat the widest range of selection is possi 1e.

Fig. 5 shows the indicator circuit connected between two concentricauxiliary ring electrodes 21, 22 closely adjacent the main negativeelectrode, the main circuit being through the cup shaped main positiveelectrode 1 at the top.

Tn Fig. 6 the inner ring elebtrode the main positive electrode andtheindicator In Fig. 4 a small elecis connected between the cupshaped-upper 1 electrode '13 and the outer ring electrode 21."

In. Fig. .7 the indicator is connected be-. tween the upper cug shapedelectrode 13 and the ring electro the upper. cupshapedaum'liary'electrode 13 e 32- above'the main. positive ringelectrode 31.

.' In Fig. 8 theindicator connection'is fiom v to the lower ringelectrode- 31 used as -the other auxiliary velectrode, the upper ringelectrode 32 being used. as the main positive electrode. Y s I.ts'modification of concentric electrodes is shown in Fig. 9 where theupper cupshaped electrode 13' is the main positive eletarode and theindicatoris connected be twdsn a small auxiliary electrode 43 and alarger cylindrical electrode 44: concentric be used or not as desired. I

The devices described herein receivingvgg inngp nlses of anyfi'equency19 may may de- "signed seas to be used ior the purpose'of or strengthand making them serviceable-n direct current devices. It is also adaptedfor teleph0nic purposes, particularly for wireless telephony.

- For alternating currents the device may be constructed or arranged soas to be asymmetric, and may therefore be connected up either singly orin a pair in any Well known ways, to take advantage of one or bothhalves of the alternating current to produce indications or effects in atelephone or other translating device such as a direct current indicatoror instrument. With certain currents it may be made useof to takeadvantage of certain portions of a wave.

, The asymmetric resistance characteristics of the vapor device whenconstructed and operated as herein explained, may be made to persist forthe highest frequencies as well as for the lowest voltages, and thesecharacteristics maybe relied upon for the rectification or asyn'nnetrictranslation of variations of an extremely small fraction of a volt andof the highest frequency, thereby rendering possible the use of a directcurrent indicating instrument.

I have found it desirable in order to fully utilize the asymmetricresistance characteristics of the device to so arrange that one ofstrength which .it is desired to translate or.

85 detect by such device.

I By experimental adjustment of the counter electromotive force in thetranslating circuit between the auxiliary electrodes, the voltage dropat an auxiliary electrode may be reduced practically to a zero, so thathalf .Waves or impulses of the smallest fraction of a volt, say, for-instance, volt to 3 volt,- or less, will pass freely and practicallyunimpeded into the vapor, whereas the half Waves or impulses tending torun in the opposite direction will be blocked and prevented fromassing-from the gas into said electrode. T us the effects of thevariations are observable in a direct current instrument The adjustablepotentiometer is an accu rate means for attaining at the auxiliaryelectrode, the conditions which Will best so remarkably sensitive insuch a variety of 80 ways that it will act as a very good detector offeeble variations such as are characteristic of the receiving Wires ofordinary commercial wireless telegraph systems, even when theadjustments are such that the.

, stantially as described,

asymmetric action is at a minimum.

the auxiliary electrodes will act as an apnated disturbances which.might tendjto With reference to magnets, it will be understood that thepositlon and number of the magneticlines and their action With respectto the negative electrode flame and other phenomena, may be varied byadjustment of any desired niunber of permanent magnets in a variety ofWays. If desired the adjustment of strength of the magnets may beconveniently altered by using electromagnets in place of permanentmagnets. By adjusting either independently or together, the current flowinthe solenoids of one or more electromagnets used to produce a singleresultant field, the direction and distribution of the lines of force insaid resultant field may be changed as desired. Permanent magnets orother means for producing a magnetic field may be used 'to modifycurrent flow at a positive or at an auxiliary electrode by being locatedat such electrode or electrodes.

I-claim: I

1. A gas or vapor device comprising an hermetically sealed containerhaving a high vacuum when cold, main electrodes and separate auxiliaryterminals therein, a'supply circuit for said main electrodes, adapt-v edto maintain normal current flow in said gas or vapor independently ofsaid auxiliary terminals and a translating device connected between saidauxiliary terminals, substantially as described.

2. A gas or vapor device comprising an hermetically sealed containerhaving a high vacuum when cold, main electrodes therein,

a source of electromotive force and current for said main electrodesadapted to maintainsaid vapor in conducting condition and said negativeelectrode in the broken down state by flow of current from the formerinto the latter, and ashunt circuit having a plurality of auxiliaryterminals exposed in conducting relation to said tially as described.-

'3. A' gas or vapor device comprisin an hermetically sealed containerhaving a high vacuum when cold, main electrodes and gas or vaporsubstanzseparate auxiliary terminals-therein, a sup-v ply circuit forsaid main electrodes, adapted :to maintain normal current flow in'said 116 gas or vapor independently of said auxiliary terminals, and atranslating device and circuit connected between said auxiliary terminals substantially as described.

4. A gas or vapor device comprising an hermetically sealed containerhaving a high vacuum when cold, main' electrodes and separate auxiliaryterminals therein, a sup ply circuit for said main electrodes, adaptedto maintain normal current flow in said gas or vapor independently ofsaid auxiliary terminals, an indicating circuit connectedv betweensaidterminals and means for applying electrical variations to said device,sub- 7 SLE 5. In an apparatus for translating electrical variations, agas or vapor devicecomprising an hermetically sealed container having ahigh vacuum when cold, main electrodes therein, a source ofelectromotive force and current for said main electrodes, adapted tomaintain said vapor in conducting condition and said negative electrodein the broken down state by flow of current from the former into thelatter, a shunt circuit having a plurality of auxiliary termi nals,exposed in conducting relation to said gas or vapor, and means forapplying variations to said apparatus, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for translating electrical variations, a gas or vapordevice comprising an hermetically sealed container having a high vacuumwhen cold, main electrodes and separate auxiliary terminals therein, asupply circuit for said main electrodes, adapted to maintain normalcurrent floW in said gas or vapor independently of said auxiliaryterminals, a translating device and circuit connected between saidterminals, and means for applying variations to said apparatus,substantially as described.

7. The method of causing and controlling the electrical charge andcurrent in a circuit, which method consists in exposing the terminals ofsaid circuit in a gas or vapor carrying current supplied independentlyof the negative terminal or cathode of said circuit, and varying thetemperature density and distribution of the current flow in said gas orvapor.

8. The method of causing and controlling the electrical charge andcurrent in a circuit, Whichmethod consists in exposing the terminals ofsaid circuit in a gas or vapor carrying current supplied independentlyof the negative terminal or cathode of said circuit, and varying thetemperature density and distribution of the current flow in said gas orvapor by varying the amount of current passing through said vapor.

9. The method of causing and controlling the electrical charge andcurrent in a circuit, which method consists in exposing the terminals ofsaid circuitin a gas or vapor carrying current supplied independently ofthe negative terminal or cathode of said circuit, and varying thetemperature density and distribution of the current flow in said gas orvapor and simultaneously applying to said circuit an independent,independently force.

10. The method of causing and controladjustable, source of electromotivedependently of the negative terminal or cathode of said circuit, andvarying the temperature density and distribution of the current flow insaid gas or vapor by varying the amount of current passing through saidvapor .and applying to said circuit an independent source ofelectromotive force.

11. A gas or vapor device of the class described, means for maintainingcurrent flow therethrough, an electrode exposed to the gas or vaporcarrying current within said device, and a circuit from said electrodeconnected so as to utilize the same as a negative electrode.

12. A gas or-vapor device, means for maintaining the vapor in aconducting condition by passage of current therethrough, an auxiliaryelectrode in said device, an independent circuit from the latter, and anindependent source of electromotive force affecting said circuit, saidelectrode operating as a negative electrode in its primary condition.

13. A vacuum device containing -a monatomic gas, means for maintainingcurrent flow therethrough, an electrode exposed to.

the current carrying gas or vapor within said device, and a circuitfrom. said electrode connected so as to utilize the same as a negativeelectrode.

14. A vacuum device containing a monatomic gas, means for maintainingthe gas in a conducting condition by passage of cu r rent therethrough,an auxiliary electrode in said device, an independent circuit from thelatter, and an independent source of electromotive force affecting saidcircuit, said electrode operating as negative electrode in its primarycondition in the unbroken down or high resistance condition, to passleakage currents only. v

15. An exhausted container having a monatomic gas therein and having atleast two electrodes, one being a negative electrode PETER COOPER HElVITT.

\Vitnesses lVAL'rER E. S. BRADLEY, RAYNER M. BEDELL,

